The IDEA Project Brings Interactive Disability Awareness to Grant Elementary

Last week, Grant Elementary welcomed back The IDEA Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Interactive Disability Education Awareness in schools. This marks the sixth year Grant Elementary has partnered with the IDEA Project to provide tailored, hands-on activities that foster understanding and empathy skills for students with disabilities. The program is provided to all Grant Elementary students, from kindergarten through fourth grade. 

The week-long program began with grade-level assemblies where students engaged in discussions about different abilities. Classes then rotated through activity stations designed to simulate different types of disabilities. Students engaged in activities that show what different experiences may be like if they were struggling with social skills, processing skills, developmental disabilities, neurological disabilities, physical disabilities or learning disabilities. The activities provided a firsthand experience that showed that what might be easy for some could be quite challenging for others, promoting empathy and understanding among all the participants.

Principal Shannon Dahl shared, “This program changes the way children think about and interact with students who may be different from themselves. It helps them identify and recognize differences, fostering greater inclusion. It has made a significant difference in our school community.”

More information on the IDEA Project.